Keyboard/piano is designed to teach the fundamentals of piano and electronic keyboards. Instruction will focus on proper technique and encompass a variety of musical styles such as rock, folk, blues and classical. We will study reading lead sheets, staff notation, music theory and song writing.

Course Objectives

Students will be able to describe and demonstrate the basic skills of piano performance, as well as basic music theory concepts. They will develop their critical musical analysis skills via listening, written and creative exercises. They will display a basic understanding of musical composition and song writing skills.

Course Emphasis:

Standard rhythms, meters, and notation

Triadic harmony

Major, minor & dominant 7th chords

Tonal relationships

Musical form/structure as relates to style being studied

Technical proficiency

Music theory as a language

At the end of this course, the student will be skilled in:

Intervals

Notation

Scales and keys

Chord structure

Rhythmic patterns

Music Composition

Sight-singing

Melodic and harmonic dictation

Roman numeral progression

Music analysis of varied musical styles

Final Project:

Student will compose/prepare their own piece, perform it for the class. This piece will demonstrate the performing, technique and music theory skill learning in Keyboard I.

Materials Needed:

All students must provide:

Their own headphones. These can be earbuds or larger.

Miniplug to 1/4 inch adaptor - to enable headphones to plug into keyboards